Collagen?

[Openmouthinsertfood]

Hi, looking for advice and some recommendations. I've never had much elasticity in my body skin. I've recently lost 27lb, and am looking to lose another stone and a half. I'm worried about sagging skin. I know I'm going to get some on my belly, as that is where I carry most of my weight but want to try and minimise as much as possible. I've ordered some Pro-Col collagen tablets and am now looking out for a cream/serum/gel to use on my skins surface. I've been on QVC looking at their collagen products but when you read the description, it doesn't mention any tightening or firming, just moisturising. To be honest I'm not even sure if a collagen product is the best for what I want anyway?
Budget is up to £50.00. I'm post menopause and take oestrogen HRT. Any other info needed just ask.

Sorry, should have made it clearer(Waffling on.) I want a product to use on my body, mainly stomach and upper thigh.

After doing a bit of Googling I settled on CHARLOTTE'S MAGIC BODY CREAM, if anybody else wants to know.

Let us know how you get on Op, would be nice to know if it lives up to the hype!

I'm giving your post a little bump. Somebody posted the most amazing list of brands with a wonderful review of each one not so long ago.

In answer to your original question, collagen molecules are too big to penetrate the dermis (outer layers of the skin). Cosmetic manufacturers use hydrolised collagen, which has tiny molecules that are widely considered too little to make any difference!

Eating collagen can't hurt you, apart from causing constipation if you take too much.

Hyaluronic acid holds crazy amounts of water, which is why creams like Charlotte's have that moisturising - and even puffing - effect. It should make your skin soft & glowy, as advertised. I'd say you're absolutely right that keeping your skin as soft and flexible as possible is the best thing you can do to help it keep its elasticity - however, as you're aware, you might end up with a bit of an apron as you keep shrinking.

Congrats on your weight loss! If your cream starts looking too expensive for long-term use, you could just as well go for a time-tested basic like gallons of cocoa butter. There's a good reason why Caribbean mamas like it so much. They also use salt / sugar & olive oil scrubs to exfoliate and hydrate.

Hi there…Well done for losing the weight. It’s not an easy feat! As PP said, collagen doesn’t penetrate the epidermis. This is not to say that it’s useless, though. Depending on the foemulation, it will still be a lovely moisturiser. Like you, I lost a lot of weight. (65+kg) I also have Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome which comes with a whole host of other skin issues. To get the most effective firming for your skin you need to gently exfoliate (urea/lactic or glycolic acid - any of the usuals) and a really good peptide complex. (The Ordinary is great and it’s also pretty cheap. Remember it’s covering more Realestate than just your face.) Peptides help support the underlying collagen layer.
As for ingested collagen, it’s fine, but your body really just recognizes it as protein. A protein supplement will probably be more effective (higher dose) and cheaper. Obviously drink lots of water and exercise to tone up the muscles underneath and you will improve the appearance of the skin too. I am not one to suggest specific diets as I know that what works for me may not work for you, etc… I stick to a very low carb diet as I have high inflammatory markers when I don’t. I don’t crave the chips and sugar when I stick to it. I know my skin is like a barometer for my inflammatory response, and it is always firmer and clearer when I stick to something that works for me.

I keep forgetting about The Ordinary, @Fraaahnces ! A lot of their products look well put together, to my amateur-chemist's eye, and are very reasonably priced.

Don’t waste money on Collagen creams or tablets/powder they are a big waste of money and don’t work at all.

Research treatments like radio frequency or IPL etc,

@GarlicGrace - Some are definitely better than others, that’s for sure. The Buffet serum is fabulous…. Wouldn’t bother with the hyaluronic acid. (Especially when you can buy Japanese Hada Labo in gigantic bottles for about the same price.)
I also think the Inkey List are pretty fab in some areas, but they’re harder to find here in Aus.